Fletcher Church

Jesus Guards Our Faith Through Prayer . . . I. Meditate on the Sacrificial Work of Christ Which Offers Eternal Life! (1-5) II. Rejoice That Jesus Keeps You by His Word & Power! (6-14) III. Give Your Life to Reflect His Glory & Share His Story! (15-19)

Practical Implications o Whose glory are you praying for? Living for? o How has the ministry of Christ produced joy in you lately? o Where is God calling you to reflect His glory? To share His story?

The Gospel Moves us from Shameful to Singing . . . I. See and Grieve our Sin as Sin! (1-5) A. Pitfalls: 1. Excuse, minimize, blame shift 2. Measure Manward vs. Godward 3. Law of God vs. Heart of God 4. Act of sin vs. Depths of Sinfulness II. Confess the Forgiving & Restoring Grace of God! (6-9) III. Seek Change by God’s Empowering Grace! (10-17)

Practical Implications o Where do you get hung up in the process of repentance? o What would concrete biblical change look like for you today? o Walk through the Put Off/Renew/Put on Process this week, and tell someone about it.

I. Recognize God’s Sovereignty! (1-6) II. Remember God’s Faithfulness! (7-11) III. Rest in God’s Provision! (12-17) IV. Rejoice in God’s Salvation! (18-30)

God is Pleased with Prayerful Dependence . . . I. Dependence Recalls God’s Past Faithfulness! (3-6) II. Dependence Humbly Acknowledges God’s Sovereignty and our Need! (7-8) III. Dependence Asks for God’s Wisdom! (9)

Practical Implications o Where have you seen God’s faithfulness to you in the past? o How are you identifying pride in your life? How are you actively cultivating humility?o What areas do you need the wisdom of God currently?

Prayer is an Invitation to an Intimate Relationship with God, So . . .

I. Ask God to Show You His Way, So That You Can Know Him Personally! (33:12-14)

II. Ask God to Remind You of His Presence, So That You Can Realize Your Identity! (33:15-17)

III. Ask God to Show You His Glory, So That You Can Respond Rightly! (33:18—34:9)

Practical Implications

o Examine your prayer life. What do you desire more, God or His blessings? What needs to change?

o In what ways do you need to be reminded of God’s presence with you today? How would that affect your perspective on life/circumstances?

o How can you gaze on the glory of God by beholding Christ today?

Pray with Intensity . . .

I. Intense Prayer focuses on Praise! (5-6a)

II. Intense Prayer pauses to Reflect & Confess! (6b-7)

III. Intense Prayer requests Based on the Word and Purposes of God! (8-10)

IV. Intense Prayer leads to Action! (11)

Practical Implications

o What is going on in your life now that could evoke intense praying?

o What elements of prayer should you add to prayer life? How?

o What truths most stir your affections for God?

The Gospel of the Kingdom will Accomplish God’s Purposes...

I. Be Warned: Exposure - Application = Dulled Heart! (23-27)

II. Be Encouraged: God will Continue to Save! (28-31)

III. Be Challenged: Will we Continue to Share? (Acts 29)

Practical Implications

o What are some ways you focus on kingdom of self? God?

o What around you needs restoring, flourishing?

o How are you enlivening your heart? Dulling it?

Weather the Storm by Trusting God’s Promises… I. Understand His Providence: God Accomplishes His Plans through Ordinary Means! II. Remember His Purpose: God’s Path Is Good Even When It Doesn’t Look Like It! III. Experience His Presence: Jesus Is with Us in the Storm!

Practical Implications o What storms are going on in your life right now? How do they tempt you to believe God is not in control? o How might God be working in your circumstances to make you godly & bring Him glory? o Are you positioning yourself to experience the presence of Christ?

Seeing the Risen Christ Compels Transformation … I. Something to Turn From! (Var) II. Someone to Turn To! (Var) III. Something to Do! (Var) Practical Implications o How can you cultivate a clearer seeing of Jesus? o What do you need to turn from, specifically? o What do you need to turn to, biblical and specific?

Christ Our Only Hope in Life and Death . . . I. How do we Stand Before Others? Free from Legitimate Accusations! (1-9) II. How will We Stand Before God? Gospel Hope! (10-21) III. How will we Speak with Others? Gospel Faith, Living and Future! (22-27)

Practical Implications

• How have you experienced and fought criticism and gossip?
• How has the gospel shown up in your faith, your living and your hope?
• Prepare for the Supper.